US President Donald Trump was left red-faced when his teleprompter didn't work during an all-important televised speech this afternoon

By Rebecca Jones, Deputy Showbiz Editor

15:42, Tue, Sep 23, 2025 Updated: 16:00, Tue, Sep 23, 2025

Trump arrives at the UN headquarters to address world leaders

Donald Trump suffered a major technical issue while delivering a UN speech, which was broadcast live on several channels, including Fox News. As the President took to the stand in front of two small microphones wearing his staple blue suit, white shirt, and red tie, he soon realised the teleprompter was broken. He said with frustration: "I don't mind making this speech without a teleprompter, because the teleprompter is not working."

Trump looked visibly annoyed as he looked to the side and heard the audience awkwardly laugh. He continued: "I feel very happy to be up here with you, nevertheless, and that way you speak more from the heart..." The President then warned: "I can only say that whoever is operating this teleprompter is in big trouble."

Donald Trump's teleprompter wasn't working

Donald Trump's teleprompter wasn't working during his speech (Image: FOX)

Trump then shook his head as he appeared lost for words without the help of the equipment, as the room looked on at him, waiting for him to deliver his planned speech.

However, the teleprompter issue was later resolved as he continued to talk and highlight how the escalator he and his wife, Melania Trump, were using that same day stopped working when they stepped on it.

The leader explained: "And then a teleprompter that didn't work... These are the two things I got from the United Nations: a bad escalator and a bad teleprompter. Thank you very much. And by the way, it's working now, [it] just went on. Thank you."

World Leaders gathering for the 80th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly

World Leaders gathering for the 80th Session Of The United Nations General Assembly (Image: Getty)

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He added: "I think I should just do it the other way, it's easier. Thank you very much. I didn't think of it because I was too busy working to save millions of lives..."

X was flooded with comments about the faux pas, with one person writing: "First the escalator stops working, now the teleprompter stops working. What exactly is the UN signalling here?" Another said: "First the escalator and now the teleprompter?"

A third added: "The teleprompter just magically stops working the minute that Trump gets on the stage? It just happened to be bad timing."

A fourth chimed in: "First the escalator stopped working when Trump stepped on it, now this? What’s with the disruptions?"

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